Surgical clamp pads having surface overlay

Abstract

A replaceable pad or insert for attachment to the jaw of a jaw-type occlusion device. The insert includes a compliant cushion and a flexible non-compliant surface overlay secured to the cushion surface. The overlay can be metal or plastic and can further include notches along the overlay sides to increase flexibility of the overlay.

We claim  
     
         1 . An insert for attachment to a jaw of a jaw-type occlusion device, comprising: 
 an attaching structure for attaching the insert to the jaw;    a compliant cushion secured to the attaching structure and having a surface; and    a flexible non-compliant surface overlay secured onto the cushion surface for engagement with a vessel or other body tissue.    
     
     
         2 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the surface overlay entirely covers the cushion surface.  
     
     
         3 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the surface overlay includes a series of notches extending along sides of the overlay to provide for increased [lateral] flexibility of the overlay.  
     
     
         4 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the overlay is formed of metal.  
     
     
         5 . The insert of  claim 4  wherein the overlay is perforated.  
     
     
         6 . The insert of  claim 5  wherein perforations in the metal are formed by punching holes through the metal.  
     
     
         7 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the overlay is formed of a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         8 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the overlay includes surface irregularities.  
     
     
         9 . The insert of  claim 1  wherein the overlay further includes protrusions extending from the overlay for providing increased traction with an engaged vessel or body tissue.  
     
     
         10 . The insert of  claim 11  wherein the protrusions further comprise a plurality of columns extending from the overlay in a direction generally perpendicular to the cushion surface.  
     
     
         11 . An insert for attachment to a jaw of a jaw-type occlusion device, the jaw having a channel or cavity extending longitudinally therein, the insert comprising: 
 a compliant cushion having a surface;    a flexible elongate attachment member having a securing portion configured to extend through the jaw channel or cavity; and    a flexible non-complaint surface overlay secured onto the cushion surface for engagement with a vessel or other body tissue.    
     
     
         12 . The insert of  claim 11  wherein the surface overlay entirely covers the cushion surface.  
     
     
         13 . The insert of  claim 11  wherein the surface overlay includes a series of notches extending along sides of the overlay to provide for increased flexibility of the overlay.  
     
     
         14 . The insert of  claim 11  wherein the overlay is formed of metal.  
     
     
         15 . The insert of  claim 14  wherein the overlay is perforated.  
     
     
         16 . The insert of  claim 15  wherein perforations in the metal are formed by punching holes through the metal.  
     
     
         17 . The insert of  claim 11  wherein the overlay is formed of a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         18 . The insert of  claim 11  wherein the overlay includes surface irregularities.  
     
     
         19 . The insert of  claim 11  wherein the overlay further includes protrusions extending from the overlay for providing increased traction with an engaged vessel or body tissue.  
     
     
         20 . The insert of  claim 19  wherein the protrusions further comprise a plurality of columns extending from the overlay in a direction generally perpendicular to the cushion surface.  
     
     
         21 . An insert for attachment to a jaw of a jaw-type occlusion device, comprising: 
 an attaching structure for attaching the insert to the jaw;    a compliant cushion secured to the attaching structure and having a surface; and    a flexible non-complaint surface overlay secured onto the cushion surface for engagement with a vessel or other body tissue, the overlay being formed of a metal that extends over the entire cushion surface.    
     
     
         22 . The insert of  claim 21  wherein the metal is perforated.  
     
     
         23 . The insert of  claim 21  wherein the overlay includes surface irregularities.  
     
     
         24 . The insert of  claim 21  wherein the surface overlay further includes a series of notches extending along sides of the overlay to provide for increased flexibility of the overlay.  
     
     
         25 . An insert for attachment to a jaw of a jaw-type occlusion device, comprising: 
 an attaching structure for attaching the insert to the jaw;    a compliant cushion secured to the attaching structure and having a surface; and    a flexible non-complaint surface overlay secured onto the cushion surface for engagement with a vessel or other body tissue, the overlay being formed of a thermoplastic and further including a plurality of protrusions extending from the overlay in a direction generally perpendicular to the cushion surface for increased traction with an engaged vessel or body tissue.    
     
     
         26 . The insert of  claim 25  wherein the surface overlay further includes a series of notches extending along sides of the overlay to provide for increased flexibility of the overlay.  
     
     
         27 . An insert for attachment to a jaw of a jaw-type occlusion device, comprising: 
 a compliant cushion having first and second surfaces, the second surface being adapted for releasable attachment to the jaw; and    a flexible non-compliant surface overlay secured onto the first surface of the cushion, the overlay adapted for engagement with a vessel or other body tissue.    
     
     
         28 . The insert of  claim 27  wherein the surface overlay entirely covers the first surface of the cushion.  
     
     
         29 . The insert of  claim 27  wherein the surface overlay includes a series of notches extending along sides of the overlay to provide for increased flexibility of the overlay.  
     
     
         30 . The insert of  claim 27  wherein the overlay is formed of metal.  
     
     
         31 . The insert of  claim 30  wherein the overlay is perforated.  
     
     
         32 . The insert of  claim 31  wherein perforations in the metal are formed by punching holes through the metal.  
     
     
         33 . The insert of  claim 27  wherein the overlay is formed of a thermoplastic.  
     
     
         34 . The insert of  claim 27  wherein the overlay includes surface irregularities.  
     
     
         35 . The insert of  claim 27  wherein the overlay further includes protrusions extending from the overlay for providing increased traction with an engaged vessel or body tissue.  
     
     
         36 . The insert of  claim 35  wherein the protrusions further comprise a plurality of columns extending from the overlay in a direction generally perpendicular to the cushion surface.